Red Cross says settlement to end strike in Ohio

CLEVELAND (AP) — The American Red Cross here says blood-collection workers have ratified a four-year contract agreement to settle a four-month strike over health-care costs and working conditions.

The Red Cross said today the agreement provides pay increases and some guarantees to protect against rising health-care costs. Workers are expected back on the job in the next few days.

More than 230 members of Teamsters Local 507 went on strike Feb. 14. The Plain Dealer newspaper reports one issue included missed breaks and lunches due to big turnouts at blood drives.

A message seeking comment was left at union offices.

The strike prompted the Red Cross to dip into its national blood inventory to meet demand at Cleveland area hospitals.